Cavities, as we know
them in people, are not common in dogs and are quite rare in cats.
Many "holes" in teeth are assumed to be "cavities" but
they are, in reality, the opened pulp chambers
ofbroken teeth. Other "holes" are due
to the reabsorption of tooth structure. Theseresorptive lesionsare very painful
and should be evaluated promptly. When cavities do develop, they
result from bacterial decay of the tooth structure. The decay
usually starts in the pits and fissures on the flatter surfaces of
molars in dogs. Cavities found early can be drilled and filled just
as in people. If the decay has extended into the pulp, then a root
canal procedure must be done to salvage the tooth. Often the
problem is not discovered until major tooth destruction has
occurred and extraction is the only
option.